The Media Lounge

Over the past year (or more) Dubai has seen an increasing number of eateries with social and work connectivity at the heart of their concept. No wonder then, that the emirate’s communication hub, Dubai Media City, has its own social and professional networking space (in, of course, a café) at The Media Lounge.

Located on the ground floor of the Concord Tower, The Media Lounge is divided between two spaces (with, also, a little outdoor seating). To one side, you’ll find a spacious, bright and simple area, where rolls of newspaper line the walls (for the look, not for reading). Murals display ‘media’ buzzwords, or chart the rise of communication technology – from the invention of the printing press in the fifteenth century, to Pinterest. Seating is a simple mix of café tables, plus cosier corners with armchairs covered in black and white photos of icons from Kurt Cobain to Marilyn Monroe. This is the smoking area, where you can opt for shisha if you wish.

The other side of the café (and, we suspect, missed by most diners) is a smoke-free zone. This has a neater, cleaner, newer look to it, but lacks a little of the ‘media’ atmosphere, since the walls are decorated instead with food images, making it look much more like any other café. Here, there is also a small space with a projection screen, designed (we’re told) for hosting meetings, as well as a food counter where you can order.

Staff are generally polite, friendly and quite obliging. One waiter conspiratorially granted a request from the breakfast menu despite the fact it was ordered almost an hour later than the usual cut-off point (daily until noon). Still, the staff seem to lack much initiative to come over to the table, in instances such as when plates are clearly finished. Having said that, if what you want from The Media Lounge is to be left in peace over your emails or a discreet business meeting, this might not be such a pitfall.

As for that menu, it spans classic breakfast dishes (European and Arabic style), and a wide variety of others such as pizza, pasta, Arabic mezze, grills and more besides. The American breakfast plate sampled offers eggs (in any style), toast, and one meat item from a choice that includes veal sausages, turkey ham or beef bacon. It also comes with a choice of fresh juice, coffee or tea. This breakfast is decent, and won’t cause you much offence. The eggs (in this case scrambled) are a mountainous portion, creamy in consistency, well made and served son a round of bread, which mops up eggy, buttery juices. The meats, are not bad, but fairly ordinary. The breakfast lacks an additional fresh or vegetable element; a bit of tomato, a green leaf, anything really.

The Media Lounge is a pleasant spot for wi-fi connectivity and shisha. It is not, however, a mind-blowing option in terms of the menu, but simply a decent, viable one if you happen to be in the area.